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Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780312961732
ISBN number: 0312961731
Label: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 432
Printing Date: May 15, 1997
Publishing house: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Sale Popularity Level: 133824
Studio: St. Martin's Paperbacks
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Product Description:
Torchlight flickers on elegant marble walls. The sound of a mob echoes in the street. The year is 52 B.C. and the naked body of Publius Clodius is about to be carried through the teeming streets of Rome. Clodius, a rich man turned rabble-rouser, was slain on the most splendid road in the world, the Appian Way. Now Clodius's rival, Milo, is being targeted for revenge, and the city teeters on the verge of chaos. An explosive trail will feature the best oration of Cicero and Marc Anthony, while Gordianus the Finder has been charged by Pompey the Great himself to look further into the murder. With the Senate House already in ashes, and his own life very much in danger, Gordianus must return to a deserted stretch of the Appian Way—to find the truth that can save a city filled with the madness and glory.
Amazon.com Review:
This is the fifth in Steven Saylor's 'Roma Sub Rosa' series: murder mysteries set in classical Rome just before the fall of the Empire. Once again, Saylor's sleuth is Gordoianus the Finder, a sort of Sam Spade in a toga, who is hired by the rich and infamous of Roman society to solve their personal and political troubles. This time the powerful politician Publius Clodius is murdered on an open road and as riots break out, the fate of the Republic is in doubt. The plotting is deft and the action -- both physical and intellectual -- is nonstop. Most of the characters here are heterosexual but Saylour (who also writes great erotica under the name Aaron Travis) brings a critical gay sensibility to his tales that forms the cultural and emotional crux of his work.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
I'm a fairly picky reader, turned off by the lack of craft in much of commercial fiction, but I enjoy Saylor's Roman novels. The setting and Roman details are wonderful and the mysteries are enjoyable in a "cozy" sort of way. That is, the emphasis is on Gordianus resolving the mental puzzle rather than danger to the main characters.
My only real complaint is that Saylour falls victim to the "as you know, Bob" syndrome. That is, character explain things about Roman life and history to other characters that they would never need to know in order to get information to the reader. It would be the equivalent of a modern character saying, "As you know, Bob, July 4 is Independence Day in the United States. It celebrates the day when the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and began the American Revolution. Before then, the Americans were subject to the English crown."
I wish Saylour would find a way to more skillfully relay this sort of detail.
Rated by buyers -
Murder on the Appian Way is a study in crowd psychology. The Novel begins with a riot in Rome, apparently caused by the assassination of one of the citizens favorites, Publius Clodius. The climate is tense as Rome is divided into two crowds; One mob supports the radical views of Clodius who pushed for more rights and privileges for the average citizen - especially the poor. The other gang supports a colleague of Cicero, Titus Annius Milo, who fights for the traditional ways which appeal to the upper classes. Both groups are populated with packs of tough young men who functioned to fight and plunder members of the opposing group. The riots eventually lead to Roman officials taking strong actions to enforce peace.
Gordianus is hired by Pompey, who insists on being called the "great one". Pompey takes control of Rome and decides to investigate the death of Clodius so peace may be restored. Additionally, Gordianus is hired by Clodius's window, Fulvia and Clodius's sister Clodia.
The relatives of Clodius charge Milo with the crime and a trial is planned with Cicero scheduled to defend Milo. The preparations for the trial lead to much strife and conflict.
Gordianus insists on finding the truth. His search for the facts, leads through many twists and turns, and finally leads to unexpected results.
For me, the clear detailed descriptions and three dimensional characters transform this book from a good detective story to a polished novel. I felt the trepidation of confronting a blood thirsty riot. I experienced outrage when marauding crowds threatened homes and families. I sympathized with the loss of close friends. Murder on the Appian Way is well worth reading.
Rated by buyers 
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I must admit that I feel like a "finder" for discovering this series. Gordianus the Finder is a remarkable character. He is clever, but vulnerable, jaded, but a loving father and husband, and he is vividly portrayed by Mr. Saylor. This is an outstanding series, but I truly recommend that it be read in order. This book is the fifth in the series. Saylour covers the peculiar slaying of Publius Clodius, and the fallout that occurred in Rome as result of his murder. In that respect, it is a little less of a mystery, but Gordianus has been asked by two very prominent citizens to find out what actually happened on the Appian Way the day Clodius was killed. Rome was at a very unsettled time at this point in history, and it was the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic. The book illustrates all the conflicting ambitions that were driving Rome at this time. We have the murdered man, Clodius, and the man accused of killing him - Milo wanting power. We also have Pompey and Caesar in the background who also want to control Rome's destiny. These are totally engrossing books, and they've kind of taken over my life right now, even though I continue to read others by other authors, my mind keeps wandering back to wonder what Gordianus is up to now. Highly addicting!
Rated by buyers -
Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began at an early age. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome and featuring Gordianus the Finder are extremely popular both here in England and also in America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too. Steven Saylour brings Ancient Rome to life, so much so that the reader can lose himself in the sights and sounds of the ancient city.
Gordianus the Finder, the investigator of crimes, a man whose skill and integrity have made him much sought after by some of the most important men in Rome. Men who may need a secret to be kept, men who need to know that when Gordianus is working for them he will be discreet and not susceptible to bribery.
In this novel Gordianus the Finder is assigned to a case by the great man himself, Pompey. He is now one of the most important, if not the most important man in Rome, although perhaps one Julius Caesar, may in later times argue with that. Pompey is determined to find out about the disappearance of the high born politician Publius Clodius. His disappearance has caused a great upheaval in the city of Rome, with riots on the streets and bouts of arson taking place. He needs Gordianus to find out what happened to Clodius and quickly before the mob destroy the city.
Rated by buyers -
I generally read history, not fiction. In fact, until the past year, about 95% of my reading was history. I started reading Colleen McCullough's series of books on Rome, tired of it, and then tried Saylor. I think I've found my author. This book is splendid. Interesting, engaging, never insulting to my intelligence, but never overly dry or expository. The style is elegant and refined, as opposed to the clunky, cliche-ridden style of McCullough. The characters breathe. (For instance, characters can be erotic and alluring, but they're never lurid.) The storytelling is engrossing. I won't comment on the book's value as a murder mystery per se, because I'm not really a fan of the genre. Does it have a sufficient twist? I don't know; I don't care. I enjoyed the book, regardless of its genre.
All in all, a novel written for serious, mature readers, but readers who seek a fun, relaxing book. And after you finish the first, you can look forward to the others, because the central character, Gordianus, is warm, witty, vulnerable, imperfect, and thoroughly human. Someone I can identify with.
By the time I'd finished this book, I had ordered all of the other books in the series.
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